Pump.enjoyable, the go-to Solana launchpad for memecoins, simply dropped Pump Ventures Fund, its first correct funding arm, along with a $3 million hackathon. Unveiled in mid-January 2026, this system is constructed to again early-stage groups that may truly create attention-grabbing initiatives.
The 30-day “Construct in Public” hackathon will decide 12 winners, every getting $250,000 at a $10 million valuation. To qualify, groups should launch a token on Pump.enjoyable, maintain at the very least 10% of the availability, and present their work dwell via frequent updates and streams.
Some individuals within the Solana neighborhood are seeing this as an actual shot at waking the ecosystem again up after months of quieter quantity. Others are simply asking: the place is the airdrop?
when https://t.co/VnIoJbxKlh airdrop? @Pumpfun pic.twitter.com/j9E6Armwt2
— Kovni 💊 (@KovniCrypto) January 21, 2026
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Pump Ventures Fund: A Change From Memes to Utility Cash?
Pump Ventures Fund is designed to fund initiatives that go method past viral memecoins. As an alternative of judging based mostly on big-name founders, it appears to be like at dwell traction: how a lot neighborhood help a venture pulls in actual time.
Groups are anticipated to construct overtly, ship a token on the platform, and show they’ll execute quick and transparently. Purposes kicked off January 19, 2026, and the primary batch of funded groups must be revealed round February 18.
The entire setup is supposed to reward precise progress and person engagement whereas rising Solana’s developer scene.
Eligibility necessities
– Launch a token– Construct a venture– Personal at the very least 10% of the token’s provide– Construct in Public: Posting on X, forming a Neighborhood & Streaming on Pump enjoyable are HIGHLY encouraged-Apply through the shape: https://t.co/QPWHidRgab
— Pump.enjoyable (@Pumpfun) January 19, 2026
Why now? The timing isn’t random: Pump.enjoyable’s buying and selling quantity has dropped exhausting, from $11.75 billion in January 2025 all the best way right down to $2.43 billion by December 2025.
That slowdown pushed the group to evolve past pure memecoin launches and begin supporting initiatives with extra endurance. By providing funding, founder mentorship, and a built-in token launch requirement, Pump.enjoyable is making an attempt to create stronger incentives for creators and convey extra constant exercise again to the community.
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Not Everyone seems to be Glad: Airdrop Hopes Nonetheless Alive?
The neighborhood response is usually upbeat. Many see Pump Ventures Fund as a signthat the platform is leveling up and making an attempt to construct one thing extra sturdy. On the similar time, an enormous chunk of holders are nonetheless laser-focused on the PUMP airdrop that was teased months in the past however nonetheless has no confirmed date or snapshot particulars. That delay retains popping up in each dialogue, whilst the brand new fund will get consideration.
Customers are curious concerning the delay in Pump Enjoyable saying the airdrop teased over a yr in the past.
Over the previous yr, Pump.enjoyable has generated $575.4 million in whole charges, equal to three.42 million SOL, underscoring how worthwhile the meme coin launchpad has been throughout peak buying and selling intervals.
Day by day buying and selling quantity tells the same story. At first of the yr, Pump.enjoyable recurrently noticed a whole lot of tens of millions of {dollars} in day by day quantity. Since then, volumes have trended decrease, although periodic rebounds recommend ongoing curiosity somewhat than a whole slowdown. Exercise seems extra cyclical now, pushed by brief bursts of hype as a substitute of sustained momentum.
(Supply: Dune)
On the person aspect, Pump.enjoyable has reached 28.7 million whole addresses, highlighting how broadly it has been used throughout the Solana ecosystem. In whole, greater than 15.3 million tokens have been launched via the platform. Even now, day by day exercise stays notable, with round 1,600 addresses creating tokens per day and roughly 600 new tokens launched day by day.
On the value aspect, PUMP caught a fast 10–11% spike proper after the announcement, however couldn’t maintain it. As of January 21, 2026, it’s buying and selling between $0.00247 and $0.0027, down 2–9% within the final 24 hours.
It’s nonetheless exhibiting life, although: up roughly 6% over the previous week and about 26% during the last 30 days.
Sentiment is impartial: a drop beneath present ranges might check $0.0018, whereas a clear breakout may goal for $0.0035.
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